title: Cytogenetic biomonitoring on a group of petroleum refinery workers.
abstract: Workers employed in petroleum refineries are exposed to a wide range of toxic compounds (benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, etc.) with known mutagenic and carcinogenic potential. In this study, we investigated by using the cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assay on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) whether general occupational exposure in petroleum refineries resulted in early biological effects, which would be indicative of adverse health effects in the long term. In this study, out of more 500 workers enrolled in the study, 79 male subjects (46 nonsmokers and 33 smokers), employed in two different Italian petroleum refineries, and a total of 50 male control subjects (34 nonsmokers and 16 smokers) were selected by using very strict selection criteria. The comparison of chromosome damage in PBL between exposed and control populations pointed out a significant increase of micronuclei in the exposed group, correlated with the length of employment. Results confirm that smoking is the principal confounding factor for the responses. In conclusion, our results are indicative of a potential genotoxic risk related to the complex occupational exposure in petroleum refineries, despite the measures adopted in the plants, and corroborate the need to increase safety measures to avoid exposure to chemical agents.
authors.affiliation: Section of Toxicology and Biomedical Sciences, Research Centre ENEA Casaccia, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Basso
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cevoli
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papacchini
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tranfo
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mansi
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Testa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity; D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity; D003582:Cytogenetics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010578:Petroleum; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D001554:Benzene